A small country with 7,107 islands, the Philippines has 120 – 175 recognized languages depending on the classification (4 of which does not have any known speakers anymore).
The original official language of the country is Spanish, given we had the Spanish invasion for three centuries. National Hero Jose Rizal uses Spanish in his works, such as Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
The Americans came after and the imposition of the English language gradually reduced the use of Spanish. 1935 Constitution made English an official language alongside Spanish. 1939 came and Tagalog was chosen among regional languages as Wikang Pambansa. It was renamed to Pilipino (1959) and to what we know now as Filipino (1973).
It is no secret that not every Filipino knows how to speak Tagalog and/or English. Depending on the region you live in, you’re most likely taught in your regional language (Ilocano, Cebuano, etc.) and English. And if you do speak English, you have a certain accent, which most of the time people mock you (and the sad thing is, it’s your own countrymen that do).
But after reading an article in Yahoo! Philippines entitled “PH: World’s best country in business English“, I was like “WOW! We beat U.S.? Seriously?”. To top that off, we’re the only country who got a score above of 7.0 and showing that the country’s economy is improving.
This isn’t bias, I assure you. The study was made by GlobalEnglish Corporation.
Very inspiring! It’s more FUN in the Philippines. So Proud to be Pinoy! ♥
Three decades of the Philippines’ colonisation/occupation by the high and mighty Spain? Really? Whoa! It’s more like three centuries or 300++ years! Get your facts straight or proof-read your article. And if Filipinos were indeed the best English language users and are infamous for being the sole citizens in the world to be mockingly labeled as grammar police’, ‘grammar nazi’, and ‘grammar czar’, why, then, does your piece literally teem with grammatical errors and miscollocations? And my ginormous query is – if they are so secure and confident about their statuses, ranks, intellects, talents, and capabilities, why do Filipinos habitually argue and adumbrate that they are the best singers, the most good looking people, the most talented folks, and the best English speakers/writers in the whole wide screwed-up world? Why do they have to keep upstaging others? Just my 2 cents.
Hi, I’ve corrected the error you pointed out. Thank you. I’ve overlooked it. My mistake.
This entry is about the results of an international survey made by GlobalEnglish, and it doesn’t say that we’re the BEST in using the English language, it just shows our capability to harness the language and use it in a business/office setting. I did point out that not everyone can speak and write in English flawlessly, given their training and exposure.
Nobody said Filipinos are ‘secure and confident about their statuses, ranks, intellects, talents and capabilities’ or that we ‘habitually argue and adumbrate that they are the best singers, the most good looking people, the most talented folks, and the best English speakers/writers in the whole wide screwed-up world’. We’re just happy we get to be recognized globally for what we do. 🙂
This article is rather inspiring and I just can’t stop myself from smiling. Filipinos are indeed smart, however I can’t deny the fact that some filipinos are somehow arrogant and well as you said they tend to claim as the best singer, most goodlooking, talented and or etc.. which is very sad.
Anyhow, I just recently found out about this news (Ph being the best businnes english) as I live outside Philippines I am not very updated about hows the philippine economy or whatsoever. I am just so happy that we get to be recognized for what we are and for what we do. Cheers!
Yup. I wish they just put away the arrogance and make use of their talents to spread/do good things 🙂
We can always aim to be the ‘best’, but in God’s eyes we are ‘perfect’ already 🙂
Thanks for droppin’ by 😉
Filipinos are simply the best . Check this out! http://christianlizardoaligo.blogspot.com/
Wow, how graciously you’ve responded to the first commenter. Now that’s class!
Thank you. It was nice to know I handled my first ‘flamer’ well. I was afraid that it might start an online debate x.x